Chapter 8
A Fresh Start
"Sarah? Wake up Sarah." Hoggles gruff voice called Sarah out of sleep as he gently shook her shoulder. Sarah slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. Opening her eyes, it took them awhile to adjust to the dark tent. Looking around she saw that her father was still asleep on his cot but Toby was no where to be seen.
"Toby! Where's Toby!" she almost shouted with worry, her eyes wide with fear.
"Here!" Toby popped his head into the tent from outside. "Didymus and Ludo are so cool! Just like you told me!" Toby was very cheerful and Sarah was glad.
"If only my father could adjust so easily?" she thought to herself. Getting up she roused her father from his sleep. "Come on Papa, we have to leave now."
Robert jumped at his daughters touch and looked around wildly for a second. "Oh god, I thought it was a nightmare." he said despairingly remembering where he was.
"Come on Dad. It won't be so bad. Just pretend you're in a foreign country" she offered somewhat sympathetically.
"Oh right. Hard to do when there's a giant talking beast and talking fox thing walking around outside this tent. I mean, the dwarf is one thing! But talking beasts?" Robert exclaimed. Sarah only shrugged in response. Robert and Sarah divided up the bags between them to carry, Hoggle took one bag, Toby rode on Ludo and Didymus rode along on ambrosias as they set out for their destination.
"Let's just hope Jareth doesn't go for a fly tonight." Hoggle said as he looked up at the sky in a paranoid manner. Sarah joined him gazing up at the sky.
"That's the last thing I need to see, a grown man flying around on a broom stick." Robert said miserably. Hoggle gave Robert an odd glance.
Sarah had to stiffle and laugh. "No he doesn't fly on a broomstick, father. He transforms into an owl." She said this as if it was a perfectly common thing.
"Oh great, even better." Robert replied sarcastically.
The group had not walked very far before they came to what looked to be a ruined stone building. Hoggle led them inside and pulled up a trap door in the floor, large stone stairs led down into a dark tunnel. Ambrosias made a whimpering noise in protest as the canine realized that his master would be decending into that dark tunnel.
"Alright Ludo, you have to stay here. These tunnels ain't big enough for ya." Hoggle stated and Ludo gently set Toby down.
"Toby Friend." the beast said and tossled Toby's blonde hair. Toby responded by hugging Ludo's large hairy leg. "I like you Ludo!" Toby exclaimed.
Hoggle had retrieved a lantern that was now lit. One by one they filed down the stairs, once inside the tunnel Didymus dismounted his steed to let Toby have a ride.
"Is this the same tunnel system that we were in before?" Sarah asked Hoggle.
"Yes. These tunnels run throughout the whole Goblin Realm." Hoggle was proud of his vast knowledge of the realms. "Oh! I almost forgot Sarah." Hoggle exclaimed. "You all have to find yourself new names."
"What? Why?" Sarah asked.
"The name Sarah Williams is famous in the Underground." Hoggle chuckled. "If folks knew you was her, well that'd cause quite a commotion. You're a hero to some but other's well, they wouldn't treat you so kindly." Hoggle furrowed his brow at the thought of someone harming his Sarah.
"Oh i see." was Sarah's only reply.
"Your father should be fine, except don't use the name Williams." Hoggle advised."Toby isn't as widly known, but just incase...might as well give him a new name."
"But I like my name!" Toby argued. Causing everyone to laugh.
"It's okay Toby, you will still be Tobes to us. We will just call you something else for other people, like playing pretend, okay?" Sarah suggested to her little brother.
"Oh okay! That sounds fun." Toby smiled.
Robert found himself smiling for the first time. He still wasn't sure this was real or some demented nightmare. However, it couldn't be that bad because his children were the happiest he'd seen them in a very long time. Putting his arm around his daughter he pulled her close. "Sarah, I forgive you. We will make this work." he offered to his daughter.
Sarah smiled with relief. "I love you dad." she said giving him a fierce hug.
The group walked for hours and everyone was very hungry. "I wish I thought to pack some food." Sarah said irritated at herself for overlooking that.
"We're only an hour or so away now. See there's the tunnel exit." Hoggle pointed ahead with one of his gnarled little fingers.
"Finally!" Sarah exclaimed, seeing daylight in the distance. "I can't believe it's morning already."
"I can." Robert groaned.
Not long after the group had exited the tunnel, which dropped them off in the middle of a forest. An hour later they could see the small farming community below. "Well this will be your new home." Hoggle said as they decended down upon the villiage. The group veered the the right before coming into the town and soon the Williams were standing outside of Midge's farmhouse. "Well this is it!" Hoggle said and knocked on the large door.
"Why Hello!" Midge greeted them cheerfully. "I didn't expect you to bring them so soon my friend! Welcome, welcome! Come inside." She ushered everyone in and shut the door. "My you must all be starving after that trip! Let me get you some grub!" Midge walked off into her kitchen before anyone could reply. It was not long before Midge was back, laying some platters down on the little table. "This should tide you over till supper." she smiled, beckoning them over.
"Thank you!" they all said as they helped themselves to cheese,bread and fresh milk. Once the food was gone, introductions were made.
"Well we best be going." Hoggle said moving towards the door. Sarah knelt and gave Hoggle and Didymus hugs.
"Thank you so much, both of you." she smiled, a tear forming in her eye.
"You just stay safe, dont go do anything rash, ya hear me?" Hoggle replied.
"Farewell my Lady! Good health to you and your family." he bowed and then thanked Midge for her hospitality before he left with Hoggle.
Midge was smiling at Sarah. "I can't believe im housing the infamous Sarah Williams!" she said cheerfully. "My you are a beauty aren't you? Obviously you have some brains in that pretty little head of yours too." she laughed. "You should be very proud of your girl Robert!" she added. Robert smiled sheepishly at the attractive red head that he was now sharing a home with. "Well let's get down to business now." Midge started to say more seriously. "Hoggle advised you to change your names now is that right?" she questioned.
"Yes." Sarah started. "My father is not known, so he will retain his name Robert. However none of us will use our surname of Williams. I thought that Toby could go by his full name Tobias, since he is only known by the short version of his name." Sarah explained.
"Sounds fine to me." Midge said. "And what about you? Thought of a new name for yourself?"
"I thought I would go by Christine?" Sarah suggested.
"Christine from Phantom of the Opera?" Robert questioned with a laugh.
"Yes." Sarah blushed, then explained to Midge. "Christine is the female star in a play in our world. She lives in an Opera house and has the most devine voice." she sighed.
Toby climbed up onto Sarah's lap. "You have a more beautiful voice than her sis!" he said seriously with devotion.
Sarah laughed. "You are too kind my little prince." and gave him a kiss on the head.
"So you can sing can you?" Midge questioned with delight.
"Oh no, not very well at all." Sarah blushed.
"Don't be modest now darling, you're good to boot." Robert defended his daughter.
Midge laughed and Sarah blushed more. "Well that brings me to another topic Robert and Christine." she gave Sarah a wink. "What are your talents? I don't suppose you were excellent farmers on your world. Nor do I think you want to live here with us forever." she laughed.
"Well, I don't really have any talents..." Sarah thought for a moment. "But father is an excellent wood craftsmen."
"Oh not really." Robert shrugged.
"Yes you are father!" Sarah exclaimed.
"Well," Midge interupted. "There's money to be made in wood crafting and singing." she stated, which made Sarah blush again. Just then a boy and girl entered the house. "Hullo children, our guests have arrived." Midge greeted her children. "This is my daughter Lily, she's ten years old and full of fire." Midge laughed. Her daughter Lily had the same fiery red hair and vivid green eyes, with the most adorable freckled face. "And this." Midge continued. "Is my handsom son Gavin, he's 20 years and the man of this household." Midge smiled proudly at her son. "Gavin, Lily. This is Sarah Williams and her father Robert and brother Tobias."
Midge's son looked shocked. Lily ran up to Sarah and gave her a big hug. "You're my hero!" the little girl exclaimed, smiling up at Sarah. Sarah returned the girls hug, blushing a bit at the reaction.
"You did not tell us our guest would be so well...known." Gavin still seemed in shock. He never thought he would meet the lady Sarah.
"I thought I'd suprise you!" Midge laughed. "But, this is very important.Both of you listen." Midge became serious. "We do not want anyone to know Sarah's true identity. You shall never use the name Williams, you must call Toby by his full name, Tobias while in public. You are to call Sarah, Christine while outside of this house. Understood?" she gave her children severe looks.
"Yes Ma'am" they both nodded. "but why the secrecy?" Gavin questioned curiously.
"Well mostly." Sarah began to respond. "I don't want a certain..Goblin King to know that I am here. He might be...well...unhappy about it."
Gavin laughed. "Yes I can see your point."
"And." Midge was speaking now. "While there are plenty who praise the lady Sarah for her accomplishment there are those who would not treat her so kindly because of it." she warned. "Now! Let me show you to your rooms."
"Robert and Tobias will be sharing your room Gavin. I'm sorry it will be a bit cramped for you boys." Midge showed them to Gavins small room. There were beds prepared for Robert and Toby.
"We appreciate your kindness." Robert said thanking Midge.
"And Sarah, you'll be sharing a room with Lily." Midge opened the door across the hall.
Lily wrapped her arms around Sarah's waist. "I always wanted a big sister!" the girl said happily.
Sarah laughed amused. "Well that's good because I always thought it would be nice to have a little sister!" she told Lily, and recieved the biggest grin in return.
"Does that mean you're my new mom?" Toby questioned rather loudly to Midge.
Gavin and Sarah laughed, and Midge and Robert blushed. "Not quite Toby." Sarah chimed in.
Midge cleared her throat. "Well, everyone wash up and relax. I'll start supper."
"I'll help you." Sarah offered and followed Midge to the kitchen.
AN: Alright so there you go. Please review.